A Paradigm Shift in the Delivery of Physical Therapy Services for Children With Disabilities in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

With the COVID pandemic, the delivery of rehabilitation services has been greatly affected across lifespan, especially towards children with disabilities. The significant physical and mental health stressors of prolonged home confinement coupled with discontinuation of rehabilitation services can lead to several long-term concerns among children with disabilities. In light of the current events, our approach towards rehabilitation needs to be re-evaluated and revamped. The point of view highlights the potential ways in which we could continue to provide physical therapy services for children with disabilities. Use of family-centered and home-based models of care can be considered to reach out to children with disabilities using telerehabilitation and digital physical therapy by adopting a modified framework of care. The implications of the point of view may help aid clinician’s world-over to continue providing rehabilitation services to children with disabilities.